Join us on a beautiful equestrian getaway in the highlands of Ecuador, your base at the historic and charming Hacienda Zuleta. Giving name to a whole valley and a small village, Zuleta is an excellent place for an intimate encounter with Andean culture and tradition. Upon stepping through its 16th century gates, you will feel as if you were traveling back in time. Situated in the pastoral Zuleta Valley, the hacienda is home to the most exclusive barn in Ecuador and combines excellent quality horses with outstanding service on a famous colonial hacienda. The five thousand acre estate is nestled 2 hours North of Quito in the Andes Mountains at 9,000 feet.

Throughout the many years, Zuleta has entertained presidents and their families, dignitaries and also celebrities, and therefore our staff knows how to truly make your stay unforgettable. Family recipe dishes made of farm fresh products, complimentary birthday surprises, your own personal favorite juice to start each morning, extra hot water bottle when nights are chilly and some fresh flowers on your picnic table – it is the little details that make you feel at home at Zuleta.

The vacation starts with a pick up from Quito, and on the way we can stop at the famous indigenous Otavalo market. The next five riding days are on board their top quality horses and are filled with exciting new sights and trails each day. Climb to the top of the volcanoes and ride through lush green valleys - the riding is only interrupted each day by the luxuriously set out lunches along the way. In the evening you come back to the historic hacienda and after a delicious organic meal we invite you to sit around the fireplace and talk about the excitements of your daily experiences.

Itinerary for
Touch the Sky Trail

** These tours are just a sample of the many options we have. Please remember that pace, distance and destinations depend on you, almost everything is possible for us and our great horses.

Sample-Itinerary:

Day 1: Hacienda Overview
You arrive in the afternoon after a drive through lush pasture lands. With some luck you will have stunning views of the snowcapped volcano, Cayambe, which is just a few miles away. One of our hosts will welcome you personally upon arrival, and assist you with check in to your guest suite. Once settled. The herd will be waiting for you to choose your horse for the first ride and you will get the chance to try it in the ring at all paces. A bilingual riding instructor is available for your questions. After lunch we will ride up to Santa Rosa, through forest and dense vegetation up to a view point from where you have an overview of the whole Zuleta valley. As we will be right above the Condor center and close to a feeding point, we will most likely see a wild condor fly by. Up here you will also have the best bird’s eye view of the ancient pre-Incan Caranqui pyramids that are spread all over the property. The loop continues with beautiful vistas of mountain slopes painted by that special afternoon light, and maybe a family of spectacle bears or foxes will come to say hello. Leaving the forest we will canter over a field with high grass, before we have to focus on our balance when the horse starts to climb down. Upon reaching flat grounds with the barn at a short distance the horses will volunteer a last gallop with some jumps over small ditches, before we collect them to reach the hacienda house and barn. A nice glass of wine in the living room, a roaring fire, comfortable sofas and a chat with your host will entertain you until dinner time.
Day 2-4 or 2-7
Partake in half-day rides, combining two shorter rides or a longer trail. See trail examples below. Day 5 or 8: Goodbye After breakfast we invite you to explore our organic garden, where you can learn about permaculture and see where the ingredients for our menu originate. You can explore the farm operation, feed baby calves, count sheep, talk to the vaqueros (local Cowboys), enjoy our embroidery shop, or relax in the garden before leaving for your next destination.

The Condor Project Our most popular route is to the Condor Huasi Project facilities located in La Rinconada de San Pedro Valley. Here you can learn about Zuleta’s wildlife as well as our efforts to protect and nurture endangered condors and spectacled bears. We ride past the Hacienda’s pastures, milking sheds, and trout farm via pretty cobblestone roads. You will see many ancient Caranqui tolas – pyramids dating from before the Inca conquest. On the way back, you may choose to climb the highest ceremonial pyramid, which offers great views of the area. You may also see wild condors taking advantage of the high winds on the mountainside. The ride includes an hour-long talk, approximately, at the Condor Huasi facilities. Estimated Time: 4 hours (including 1 hour talk approx.)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Minimum Age Requirement: 6 years
Suggested Departure Time: 10 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,018 m / 9,724-9,901 ft

Zuleta Cultural Tour
For a more in-depth look at the history and culture of Zuleta, we take you through the village to an interesting house museum at the community’s highest point. Here you will find many well-preserved examples of Zuleta’s traditional farming, weaving, and cooking implements as well as weapons, fine leatherwork, and other interesting ephemera. If the weather permits, we will see stunning views of snow-capped Mount Cayambe and the surrounding landscape. On the way, we will also stop by the community’s famous embroidery shops where you can learn about this centuries-old art and purchase some lovely gifts later if you wish. The ride incorporates views of the cemetery, town hall, and church as well as some historic adobe-and-tile-roof houses. There is also an opportunity to see a local leather specialist who makes all of the Hacienda’s saddles and leatherwork. To take full advantage of this ride, we recommend taking a bilingual guide for an extra charge. Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: EasyMinimum Age Requirement: 6-8 yearsSuggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PMElevation: 2,964-3,018 m / 9,724-9,901 ft

Uphill Riding
Stand on the shoulders of the mountains as we venture to the pinnacle of Santa Rosa. First, we climb winding paths, glimpsing the Hacienda through eucalyptus trees. We then pass a small reservoir and waterfall as we continue on to the high pastures where the entire valley opens up before us. On a clear day, we can see snowcapped volcanos Cayambe and Cotapaxi to the left in the distance, with Mount Imbabura towering across the vale. Further north, the mountains meander down beyond Angochagua and La Rinconada to the city of Ibarra, while behind us lies the mysterious wilderness of the Andean páramo. We circle round to the Vista Condor to catch magnificent views of La Rinconada de San Pedro Valley, with its condor facilities and Caranqui pyramids, before returning home through fragrant cypress and eucalyptus groves. Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: IntermediateMinimum Age Requirement: 6-8 yearsSuggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PMElevation: 2,964-3,239m / 9,724-10,921 ft

Mount Cunrro
This ride gives us a chance to see a different side of the Zuleta valley. We leave from the main gate, passing through the village, then climb through pastures and fields towards Mount Cunrro, an extinct volcano. If weather permits, we may see behind us the glorious Mount Cayambe, a snowy peak with an elevation of 5,790 masl (almost 19,000 ft!). Cunrro dominates this side of the valley – a vast, conical hill jutting from the foot of Mount Imbabura and surrounded by woodland at its base. We pass through cool eucalyptus groves and, at the summit, enjoy views of Zuleta’s green, furrowed mountains stretching all the way from the Hacienda through to Angochagua and towards Ibarra. After a short rest, we descend back to the village and return to the Hacienda.
Estimated Time: 3-4 hoursDifficulty Level: Intermediate
Minimum Age Requirement: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,300 m/ 9,724-10,826 ft

Angochagua Cultural Ride
We head north of the property, past Rosario’s milking sheds and verdant fields, where we can take a quick detour to the waterfall if you wish. At the Hacienda’s limits, we reach a road leading to the picturesque farming community of Angochagua, nestled in a crook of the mountains. Following a stream, we visit the Andean home of Fernando Colimba, a native of the area, who built the classic adobe and thatched roof property as a house museum to preserve his local culture. Here he demonstrates age-old techniques for grinding corn and spinning wool and shows us old artifacts from the area’s agricultural past. We return, riding up the shoulder of Mount Cunrro and through the community to see these old farming ways in action. Please tell your host in advance if you wish to do this ride so that we can arrange for the museum to be open. An English-speaking guide is advised but not absolutely necessary. Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Minimum Age Required: 6-8 years
Suggested Departure Time: 8:30/9 AM or 2 PM
Elevation: 2,964-3,100 m / 9,724-10,170 ft

Terrain
Riders will have numerous opportunities to explore the Andean countryside along high altitude trails (between 9.000 and 13.000 feet) that wind through ‘páramo’ grasslands and cloud forest, along cobblestone trails and through local villages.

Horses
The Hacienda is known not only for its prize-winning pure Andalusians including national champions and precious stallions, but especially for its very own breed – the Zuleteño. The Hacienda was the first to bring purebred horses to Ecuador, starting with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred and changing to Andalusians in the early 60s. The Zuleteño is a combination of those three breeds and known for its qualities as a very noble, gentle and versatile horse. The horses respond best to light, but clear signals. They are used to being ridden with a soft hand and slack in the reins. They are taught to neck rein.
Every horse is known for its specialties. Some have advanced training in dressage and Spanish riding, others in taking perfect care of small children,… You will be able to pick your favorite horse of the herd, for your whole stay, or just for the day´s activity.

Guides
You will be in safe hands with our knowledgeable, friendly local guides. All excursions are accompanied by a local guide, although an English speaking guide is also available.

Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.Passport NotePassports must be carried at all times. Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart ab. more

Climate for
Touch the Sky Trail

Quito area

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average High Temperature (°F)

66

66

66

66

66

67

67

68

68

67

67

66

Average Low Temperature (°F)

49

49

49

49

49

48

47

48

47

48

48

48

Average High Temperature (°C)

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

20

19

19

Average Low Temperature (°C)

9

10

9

10

9

9

8

9

9

9

9

9

Source: NOAA

Seasons
The hacienda is located in the highlands of Ecuador and enjoys a temperate Andean climate with temperatures ranging from the mid 50°F to the low 70°F. Therefore, there is never a bad time to visit, even though the nights can get chilly all year-round.

Generally speaking, the drier months are from June to September, the wettest from January to May, also October. During the rainy season, rain usually comes in the late afternoon while the mornings are dry. June to September are the hottest, driest months with the clearest skies in the northern part of the Sierra.

Important to Bring: Lightweight fleece jacket or wool jumper, thermals, gloves and hat are useful for high altitudes and colder temperatures. A rain jacket and sturdy boots are also recommended especially if undertaking hiking and trekking.

What to Bring for
Touch the Sky Trail

In most parts of the Andes, you can experience all four seasons in one day. Be prepared for cold nights and cold rain if you're caught outside. Warm, fast drying clothes are recommended (synthetics and wool are good, but avoid cotton, especially directly against the skin).
Since you will be riding at elevations between 9.000 and 13.000 feet, light warm clothing worn in layers is highly recommended. Ponchos in case of rain will be provided.
We encourage all riders to wear a helmet and chaps (which we can provide). Ponchos in case of rain will be provided.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants/breeches

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Wool sweater

Long sleeved shirts

Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip)

Wind breaker

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pajama

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Video for
Touch the Sky Trail

Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.

Google Map for
Touch the Sky Trail

Average Tour Ratings for
Touch the Sky Trail

*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.

Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.

Accommodations for
Touch the Sky Trail

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
This beautiful estate is owned by the descendents of former Ecuadorian president, Galo Plaza. Antiques and family photographs give every room its personal flavor. Some have access to a private hidden garden others to a patio where hummingbirds fly around the sun chairs. Cozy living rooms with big fireplaces and comfortable sofas invite to relax at your leisure. It is also a self-sufficient farm, producing its own rainbow trout, organic vegetables, cheese, etc... Though not open to the general public for lodging, the hacienda offers all the comforts of a well-establish hotel. There are 3 standard rooms, 11 deluxe rooms, and 7 junior suites. All rooms have a private bath tub. Here you are a guest of the Plaza family and you are welcomed as such. All guests receive a private room with hand-embroidered linens and beautiful garden views. You will be invited to relax at your leisure in the cozy reading and living rooms, which have entertained their own entourage of famous visitors including past presidents and dignitaries. Wireless internet in all rooms will keep you connected to the outside world, if you wish to.

Room OccupancySingle supplement is mandatory is we cannot find another rider to share.

MealsAll meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day. As your dining experience unfolds; you will be impressed by the Hacienda’s sustainability. Delicious snacks like banana cake, farm made cheeses, fresh juice or anything else you could think of are served in the living rooms all day long. The meals will be typical Ecuadorian "family" cuisine. Virtually everything gracing the table comes fresh from Zuleta’s rich earth and is carefully prepared by hand. Fresh milk and cream from Zuleta’s dairy cows are offered daily. Handmade cheeses are produced from the farm’s fresh milk and carefully crafted in the small factory near the guest house. Rainbow trout are caught moments before melting in your mouth. Freshly churned butter melts over warm bread baked from wheat harvested on the Hacienda. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables are picked from the expansive garden to make unforgettable salads and freshly squeezed juices.
In addition, gourmet picnic lunches with fine wine and cheeses are provided for all-day excursions.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians if given prior notice.

Terrain
Riders will have numerous opportunities to explore the Andean countryside along high altitude trails (between 9.000 and 13.000 feet) that wind through ‘páramo’ grasslands and cloud forest, along cobblestone trails and through local villages.

Horses
The Hacienda is known not only for its prize-winning pure Andalusians including national champions and precious stallions, but especially for its very own breed – the Zuleteño. The Hacienda was the first to bring purebred horses to Ecuador, starting with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred and changing to Andalusians in the early 60s. The Zuleteño is a combination of those three breeds and known for its qualities as a very noble, gentle and versatile horse. The horses respond best to light, but clear signals. They are used to being ridden with a soft hand and slack in the reins. They are taught to neck rein.
Every horse is known for its specialties. Some have advanced training in dressage and Spanish riding, others in taking perfect care of small children,… You will be able to pick your favorite horse of the herd, for your whole stay, or just for the day´s activity.

Guides
You will be in safe hands with our knowledgeable, friendly local guides. All excursions are accompanied by a local guide, although an English speaking guide is also available.

Visa Requirement For
Touch the Sky Trail

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Passport Note

Passports must be carried at all times.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: (a) A measles vaccination certificate is required by all nationals travelling from Germany and Italy and must be shown on arrival. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Extensions of a further 90 days are available through the local immigration authorities.

Passport Required?

British

Yes

Australian

Yes

Canadian

Yes

USA

Yes

Other EU

Yes

Visa Required?

British

No

Australian

No

Canadian

No

USA

No

Other EU

No

Return Ticket Required?

British

Yes

Australian

Yes

Canadian

Yes

USA

Yes

Other EU

Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.